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Spectator sports and activity sports are different. Popularity of those two don't necessarily go hand in hand.

Soccer is by far the most populary activity sports in the US, just go to school play ground in Sunday morning, and see what they are doing. On tv, there is no regular coverage of soccer unless it's a Spanish station.

When you look at cycling, it's not near top of the list in neither spectator nor activity sports. I would doubt that even if the popularity of cycling as a spectator sports increases, it will encourage people to use their bike more often.

I do believe when people start seeing their neighbors use their bike more often, like just use it to go to the convenient store around the corner to get something, that's when they start thinking about pulling their old bike out of the garage and actually use it. For most people, it's just too much work to get dressed for cycling and to feel obligated to ride 30 miles each time they go out.

As long as people are concerned about who get dressed better like real pro racers or who have the better components on their bike, it'll never be the populary activity sports nor part of their life activity.

Edit: I do apologize for turning a funny thread into more serious tone.

I think the reason cycling/bicycle riding is not as popular in the US as it should be is because of the easy access to automobiles-

The youth of our great country would much rather get their license as soon as possible and borrow the family car and go cruising with their friends-Some of these licenses can be had at 16-Once license is in hand, say goodbye to bicycles-

Look around and see how many kids, young kids have their own cars!-Just ain't cool to chase the chicks on a two wheeler when your buddy has 200 horse power-

I know this for a fact because I was one of those lucky kids with his own car back in 1959-

I think what makes cycling (TdF-style) less appealing than other sports, is the fact that, up until the last couple of kilometres, most of the competitors actually co-operate! The take turns riding first, and generally are a nice bunch until the final sprint.
So, you're essentially watching, what looks like, a group training for 3-4 hours, and then there's a bit of action the last minute or two.
Doesn't sound like a great recipe for a spectator sport, does it?

I think what makes cycling (TdF-style) less appealing than other sports, is the fact that, up until the last couple of kilometres, most of the competitors actually co-operate! The take turns riding first, and generally are a nice bunch until the final sprint.
So, you're essentially watching, what looks like, a group training for 3-4 hours, and then there's a bit of action the last minute or two.
Doesn't sound like a great recipe for a spectator sport, does it?

well its not really free, your energy is coming from the food you eat, and the food you eat cost money. With that said the cycling is still way cheaper and considering the side affects of driving (pollution, gas money) cycling is definitely the better choice

Cycling is very popular in the United States. It just isn't marketed for some reason. It could be very successful. If you can sell NASCAR, golf and Allstar wrestling, you could certainly sell a road race up the Rocky Mountains. Now that would be cool. Or you could do Mountain biking. I could see that as being very entertaining. The money is out there. Just attend a club ride with say, twenty riders. How much have they invested in bikes, clothing, tools, bike racks, etc. These are real people spending real money. Do you think they would follow a road race series sponsered by Trek, Giant, maybe Decent, or Pearl izumi. You bet your spd's they would. Lets not forget about Suburu and other yuppie mobiles. It could be done, it could be successfull, all the pieces are there.

I think cycling probably has more active participants than any other physical activity except for running/jogging in this country. Seriously, how often do you see neighbors playing football, baseball, ect. Maybe a couple times a year if even that much. I do see some of my neighbors jogging and cycling quite often.

I don't think you will see much cycling on television anytime in the near future. I just don't think the majority of the couch potatos view it as a serious sport in this country or a sport that is interesting to watch.

Well about the spectator sport thing...
I know people who are fanatical about NASCAR, i tried watching a race with them and its just cars going around and around 100+ times.....
gets old after hte first 2

I wonder if with gas prices on the rise, cycling will increase in interest. Or perhaps more people will choose to commute on bicycle, not necessarily wear the clipless+spandex

Because generally, 'Murcun's "don't have enough time" to get into the sport from working too many hours chasing the Almighty Buck, too tired from having to work the long hours, or they're too overweight and lazy to want to ride.

Well about the spectator sport thing...
I know people who are fanatical about NASCAR, i tried watching a race with them and its just cars going around and around 100+ times.....
gets old after hte first 2

I wonder if with gas prices on the rise, cycling will increase in interest. Or perhaps more people will choose to commute on bicycle, not necessarily wear the clipless+spandex